Messel - An Ancient Greenhouse Ecosystem is an exquisitely illustrated book by 28
internationally renowned specialists who present a synopsis of the current state of
understanding of the climate and structure of the Eocene Messel ecosystem. The information is
derived from studying the rocks animal and plant fossils of the Messel pit. The Messel Pit
represents an ancient maar lake situated in the archipelago that Europe was in the Eocene
close to present-day Frankfurt Germany. This title is also available in a German language
version. The exceptional state of preservation of Messel fossils has enabled researchers in
many cases for the first time to identify minute functional details of the plants and animals
of the Messel ecosystem about 48 Million years ago: plants insects birds mammals (horses!)
reptiles amphibians and fishes. Introductory chapters treat Messel its formation as a maar
lake the conditions of burial and preservation of the fossils and history of work since
discovery of the first fossil there in 1876. The Messel flora and individual fossils groups are
discussed in detail in seven following chapters discussing both paleontological and
evolutionary details obtained from the Messel fossils and by comparison with other fossil
locations. A final chapter summarizes all previous research and presents a synopsis of
ecosystem conditions (climatic environmental biota producers and consumers occupation of
ecospaces niches) of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems at Messel derived from studies of
the Messel samples. This hitherto most comprehensive treatment of the fossil Messel ecosystem
will make this book the standard reference work on Messel to scientists while the lush
illustrations of flora and fauna will captivate everyone from fossil enthusiasts to interested
laypersons.
